Second Set of Readings

In the readings that described the years before Robert Frank's The Americans, I enjoyed learning about the incidents and events that shaped Frank's vision of what he wanted his photobook to be. The history gave more depth to understanding Frank's choice of pictures as well as his sequencing. Robert Frank sequencing of his pictures showed that he had a motive and purpose for the order of his pictures. His photobook was his voice and response to what was happening around him - what he saw has he experienced and came to know America. While reading the discussion of The Americans, I could not help but wonder what a conversation with the people pictured in his book would be like. Frank's photobook showed his perception of America, I imagine if those he photographed would agree with what he thought they were going through at the time he took a picture of them.

The readings about Japanese photography really fascinated me. I really liked how Japanese photography in the photobook was designed to their culture. As the author puts it, There are hints and clues that can only be understood by the people "in the know."As an outsider, my first look at Japanese photography was more of confusion but after reading the article, I appreciate this confusion. I appreciate that the Japanese photobook, in terms of sequence, non-narrative, placement of pictures and text, is how the Japanese view photography and that the photographers do not subject themselves to a particular norm. The very last spread showing the elderly man and the the bonfire characterizes my understanding of what Japanese photography is about. The two pictures are sort of not related. The cropping and placement of the picture of the elderly man looking at the fire with intensity in his face makes me wonder what the photographer wants me to know. Everything about the spread speaks intention and I wonder if my lack of understanding of the spread is due to my status as an outsider. This type of photography differs from western photography. Robert Frank's The Americans and Paul Senn's Bauer und Arbeiter have a more global perspective. They deal with situations that are universal to all and both photographer's translate this in their sequencing and choice of photographs.